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Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities of n-hexane and aqueous ethanolic extracts of Malva neglecta in Swiss albino mice was evaluated. For each activity, the mice were divided into 4 groups: Group 1 served as control, Groups 2 and 3 were given n-hexane and aqueous ethanol extracts, respectively whereas Group 4 was treated with the standard drug. Analgesic activity was evaluated against acetic acid induced writhing, Eddy's hot plate method, and Formalin induced paw licking. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan-induced paw edema. The extracts were also examined for their anti-pyretic activities against yeast-induced pyrexia. Results showed that the n-hexane (p < 0.05) and aqueous ethanolic (p < 0.005) extracts of M. neglecta exhibited analgesic activity by reducing acetic acid-induced writhing, mean reaction time on hot plate model and formalin-induced paw licking in mice as compared to the control. The n-hexane extract (p < 0.05) as well as aqueous ethanolic (p < 0.005) extracts produced significant antiinflammatory activity as compared to the control. Both the n-hexane and aqueous ethanolic extracts revealed significant antipyretic activity (p < 0.005 and p < 0.05, respectively) in mice model. The results of the present study demonstrated that the n-hexane and aqueous ethanol extracts of M. neglecta possess analgesic, antiinflammatory and anti-pyretic activities. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(3): 577-583, 2021 (September)

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited recessive autosomal disorder that affects the lungs, the digestive system, and secretory glands. It is a lethal condition caused by a mutation in the gene cystic-fibrosis-transmembrane-conductance- regulator (CFTR), which leads to defects in ion channels and results in obstruction of mucus in airway channels. Unbalanced ion exchange causes impaired water transport and accumulation of viscous mucus in the air way leads to bacterial colonization, for example, with Staphylococcus aureus. The most common mutation is the deletion of nucleotides in epithelial membrane; hence, it is a multiple-organ-defective disease that mostly effects the lungs. Researchers are working on gene therapy that aims to introduce a normal CFTR gene copy into the epithelial cells of lungs. Several approaches have been designed to improve transepithelial ion transport in CF patients. Normal CFTR gene delivery has been performed using viral and nonviral vectors, but these approaches are not more efficient against the cell barriers. Enzymes may be used that inhibit the sphingolipid to provide proper microenvironment for the CFTR gene product. Thymosin alpha-1 has also been reported as a potential corrector in treatment of CF.

Hepatitis B infection caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a serious health issue worldwide. Existing therapeutic strategies hardly eradicate HBV infections, and they fail to attain complete cure. Advanced treatment strategies are urgently needed to successfully terminate further spread of HBV infection and eliminate hidden reservoirs of virus. Recently, a novel RNA-guided gene editing tool, known as the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system, has been established. It facilitates site-specific mutagenesis and reveals a new way to develop applicable techniques for disease treatment, such as extermination of infectious agents like HBV This study highlights the current developments in CRISPR/Cas9 technology and its importance for target-specific inhibition of HBV genome. Benefits, challenges, feasible solutions, and proposed guidelines for forthcoming study in CRISPR/Cas9 are described to highlight the possible cures of and treatments for chronic HBV infection.

Different physical and chemical techniques are used for the decontamination of Cr+6 contaminated sites. The techniques are expensive, laborious, and time-consuming. However, remediation of Cr+6 by microbes is viable, efficient, and cost-effective. In this context, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria Acinetobacter bouvetii P1 isolated from the industrial zone was tested for its role in relieving Cr+6 induced oxidative stress in sunflower. At the elevated Cr+6 levels and in the absence of P1, the growth of the sunflower plants was inhibited. In contrast, the selected strain P1 restored the sunflower growth under Cr+6 through plant growth–promoting interactions. Specifically, P1 biotransformed the Cr+6 into a stable and less toxic Cr+3 form, thus avoiding the possibility of phytotoxicity. On the one hand, the P1 strengthened the host antioxidant system by triggering higher production of enzymatic antioxidants, including catalases, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase. Similarly, P1 also promoted higher production of nonenzymatic antioxidants, such as flavonoids, phenolics, proline, and glutathione. Apart from the bioremediation, P1 solubilized phosphate and produced indole acetic acid, gibberellic acid, and salicylic acid. The production of phytohormones not only helped the host plant growth but also mitigated the harsh condition posed by the elevated levels of Cr+6. The findings mentioned above suggest that P1 may serve as an excellent phyto-stimulant and bio-remediator in a heavy metal-contaminated environment.

Nanotechnology deals with the synthesis of materials and particles at nanoscale with dimensions of 1–100 nm. Biological synthesis of nanoparticles, using microbes and plants, is the most proficient method in terms of ease of handling and reliability. Core objectives of this study were to synthesize metallic nanoparticles using selenium metal salt from citrus fruit extracts, their characterization and evaluation for antimicrobial activities against pathogenic microbes. In methodology, simple green method was implicated using sodium selenite salt solution and citrus fruit extracts of Grapefruit and Lemon as precursors for synthesizing nanoparticles. Brick red color of the solution indicated towards the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). Nanoparticle’s initial characterization was done by UV–Vis Spectrophotometry and later FTIR analysis and DLS graphs via Zetasizer were obtained for the confirmation of different physical and chemical parameters of the nanoparticles. Different concentrations of SeNPs were used for antimicrobial testing against E. coli, M. luteus, B. subtilis and K. pneumoniae comparative with the standard antibiotic Ciprofloxacin. SeNPs possessed significant antimicrobial activities against all the bacterial pathogens used. Conclusively, SeNPs made from citrus fruits can act as potent antibacterial candidates.

Blood is composed of some important components which are red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets...

Glaucoma is a gradual degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and optic nerves axons...

Eye is one of the major and complex organs in human. The main function of the eye is to alter the light signals into electrical signal which brain can interpret...

Melanoma is a skin cancer caused by a malignancy of melanocytes. Incidence of melanoma is rapidly increasing worldwide, which results in public health problems. Primary extracutaneous melanomas can be ocular, gastrointestinal, mucosal, leptomeningeal, genitourinary, and lymphatic. The relationship between exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and development of melanoma is intensively acute and complex, and intermittent sun exposure greatly increases the risk of melanoma. It is the fifth most common type of cancer in men number and the sixth most common in women. The diagnosis of melanoma is made through clinical assessment of the pigmented by health care professionals. Architectural features of malignant melanoma including asymmetry, confluence of growth, marked cellularity, and poor circumscription. The cytological feature of malignant melanoma include an irregular and thick nuclear membrane and prominent nucleoli. The preventive measures include reducing exposure to UV light and the sun. The early detection of skin cancer greatly reduces both short- and long-term morbidity and mortality. The treatment and follow-up with the doctor for melanoma patients may differ because of the stage of the tumor and the primary lesion. The typical therapy for malignant melanoma is surgical excision, immunotherapy such as interleukin 2 (IL-2), gene therapy, and biochemotherapy.